Then there are the results of the battles at running back and defensive end, which may include a heavy rotation at all three spots and no clear-cut starter.

"Going out of the gate you're going against one of the most proficient offenses in 2013, but 2013 was 2013," Bielema said Monday at his press conference. "Whatever shows up in the backfield, whatever person starts and whatever person lines up on the field, we've just got to roll with it and make the best of the situation.

"What I am excited about: I think our depth chart in particular is the consistency that we've had really the last 10 days of preparation. We know who is lining up, we don't have any suspensions, we don't have anything hanging over us in a cloud of doubt. We've just got our guys lined up playing good football, which we like."

Auburn will release its first depth chart of the season Tuesday. Gus Malzahn has long promised to make the Tigers' plans at quarterback clear, though how long Nick Marshall will stand on the sideline remains to be seen. The Tigers' starting quarterback will not start against the Razorbacks following a citation for marijuana possession in July.

Marshall returns with hopes of winning the Heisman Trophy after leading the Tigers to an SEC title and trip to the BCS National Championship in 2013.

But when will he play?

"Nick, in his regards, is a seasoned player, an athletic player, a guy that can say he's played in the big game and won and excelled and played on a big stage," Bielema said. "As long as he's in there, we'll see that, but I don't see their offense changing a lot, whoever is at quarterback."

Johnson played one snap against Arkansas last season and made the most of it with a pass completion for a first down. Marshall played the entire game but only threw eight passes against the Razorbacks, who couldn't handle Tre Mason's four touchdown runs and 168 yards on the ground. Auburn won 35-17.

The underrated part of Auburn's offense going into this game? The receivers, Bielema said. He has concerns about newcomer D'haquille Williams, the star of Auburn's spring, and the Tigers returning all of their top receivers from a year ago.

"If there is one area that's kinda being overlooked in my opinion, is they signed a couple of really good players and their perimeter players from a year ago are back and they have a lot of gifted speed," Bielema said. "It's our biggest concern."